Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-15

seemed suddenly to have acquired
starch, while the gilt ornaments there
on sciatiIlated fiercely.
when say u thing | mean it, as
Won know, Josiah / have considered
that you indulge your hobbies with
our restraint. 1t is high time my
benevolence found something to oc-
cnpy it.
Josiah drank up his wine slowly.
When he spoke again it was in a sub
dued tone.
Dorothy, my dear, how often have
/ reminded you in the past three
years that your poor sister-left
child. AS have said before, it is
your clear duty"
"Mr. Dobbsl" The lady rose, and
swept her black satin skirts to the
door, Here she paused to add: ~
repeat, / remember no sister. A dis
graceful marriage severed all connec-
ton of birth. / beg that you will
never allude to that shameful matter
again"
Perhaps the episode alluded to was
well remembered by Josiah, for he
sighed several times in his after-din-
ner solitude. He knew the mad-cap
girl he had sheltered for many years
beneath his roof was dead, but he
knew, too, that her child lived, and he
would fain have cherished it for the
mothers sake.
In the course of the evening Mrs.
Dobbs resumed the question OF adop-
ton. Josiah was O peaceable man,
and he loved his wife; but this last
whim was serious one, and would
I,l tn 10, ho,
''Pm gong to advertise at once, :"
she said.
Mr.. Dobbs looked very blank.
al should advise you to try some
other plan that would give less pub
Lefty to the matter" he said mildly.
''That would bring any amount OF
begears and inpostors about you"
Mrs. Dobbs looked over her crewel
work in an injured way.
"There you are again, Josiah; always
trying to oppose me and make my
life miserable. | declare you contra
dict me every morning and evening
about something. Haven't | told
you before what q lonely life lead?
It's all very well for you, who go away
to the city every day to make
money. You are just like ali men
you are selfish to the core" With
this final female platitude. Mrs. Dobbs
began to whmper. Mr.. Dobbs felt
guilty of heinous cruelty.
ga companion might---'he began.
The lady lifted herself from the sofa
cushion and Josiah quailed.
"a companion." with whitening
sarcasm, ito make love to you, no
doubt, Josiah. | know their schen.
ing ways. Didn't | have enough of
Miss Grlggs and her maneueering
tricks, working you braces, the hussy,
| and sending you Christmas cards.
How dare you mention a person OF
that sort after all my sutferings with
| then?"
OF course i'll the end the lady pre-
vailed, and Josiah passively counte-
nanced the adoption. Matters were
soon set in order for the fufillment OF
the latest whim. Yet verify her heart
failed her during the week follow
ing her advertisement Her lonely con.
dition had never been so apparent to
her before as when she was beset by a
crew OF parents and guardians bearing
some punv or blighted infant for her
adoption. All sorts and condi-
tions OF men craved her pity for their
wretched children. She was bewildered
by the offensive bearing of holder APP
| pllcants. More than once Mrs. Dobbs
had to ing III her respectable butler
to get rid OF some Insistant parent
who endeavored to intimidate her IN
to an immediate purchase. The re-
suit OF all this was a cessation of the
daily advertisement. Mr.. Dobbs, of
course, was not informed infinitely OF
ali that went on, though an interview
with his butler one evening threw a
little light on things that had occurred
81 wish to give u months warning.
sir, said this gentleman in privacy
| to his master.
why, now, Tinker, what is the
matter? I'm sure you We q very com
Portable place, with boy to do all
your dirty work"
| Tinker coughed and stammered a
few words before coming to the point.
| well, now, sir, to speak plain It's
along ofthat wild crowd ofvagabonds,
as Mrs. Dobbs she's seeing OF every
day. Babies by the score, they're
brought by impident rascals such as |
amt been accustomed to. One OF 'em
she wouldn't go out OF the gate till
called the police. 1t amt respect able
III a gentleman's house, l do assure
| you, SIR
| Somehow or other Mr.. Dobbs man
aged to sooth the outraged feelings of
his man servant, and prevailed upon
| him to put up awhile longer with the
inconvenience of the situation. The
1 worthy Josiah was concerned for the
protection OF his wife
How are you getting on with your
business, my lover" inquired Mr..
Dobbs that evening.
"Oh, pretty well" ssld the lady
cheerfully, yet persistently avoiding
her husbands eyes. 81 find it very
difficult to make up my mind; and |
want q pretty little boy, not quite a
baby, with no diseraceful connections
to hang about him. No doubt | shall
see one to suit me in lew days"
The few days passed without further
allusion to the subject, and thelollow-
ing curious advertisement appeared
i'll all the daily papers:
WANTED.-For immediate adoption. a
little boy between and / years old. Must
be healthy and pretty and sound in body
and mind. The parents or relatives must
renounce all claim on him forever lIewill
be comfortably provided for in the future
| Apply daily to Messrs. Grifiham and Grab
ham. Solicitors, POI Parliament street,
Westminster.
| After tha aDoparapce Cf thic a1,-ar